Offshore staff
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The US Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) have agreed to a framework for coordination in regulating renewable energy activities on the outer continental shelf (OCS).
The memorandum of agreement (MOA) clarifies the bureaus’ roles and responsibilities and promotes the efficient use of resources to enhance the nation’s renewable energy production.
“For several years BSEE has closely partnered with BOEM to ensure responsible development of renewable energy resources on the OCS,” said BSEE Director Scott Angelle. “This MOA clarifies BSEE’s role in developing the safety and environmental compliance functions of the program that are critical to BOEM’s management of the program’s planning and development.”
The MOA follows a September 2020 memorandum of understanding between BSEE and BOEM that describes the general relationship between the bureaus. Also, it is one step closer to initiating the rulemaking process that would officially transfer relevant safety and environmental compliance regulations from BOEM to BSEE.
BOEM Acting Director Dr. Walter Cruickshank said: “We appreciate the critical information provided by our key stakeholders, such as commercial fishers, to inform our decision-making processes, and we look forward to continuing these relationships as we work with BSEE to ensure the renewable energy industry incorporates safety and environmental compliance measures throughout the installation and operation of offshore facilities.”
The bureaus said they will continue to collaborate on revisions to regulatory processes that ensure safety and environmental compliance as America expands renewable energy production on the OCS.
01/19/2021
